Government lawyer shortages in Papua New Guinea have caused financial woes for the country as these often result in judges ruling in favour of opportunist litigants.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the shortages mean that government lawyers are simply not available to attend hearings and 'opportunists' often win cases against the government.

In response to the shortage, Lucinda Atkinson from the Australian Attorney-General's Department said she has sent two legal staff to help the PNG government.

"Often people will take advantage of [the shortage] and make vexatious claims against the PNG government and when the Solicitor-General's litigators can't face up to court, because they're booked in five other courtrooms at the same time, then the court has no choice but to award in favour of the claimant," said Atkinson.